ISTANBUL

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met in Damascus on Sunday with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.

Discussions dwelt on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them in various fields, the state news agency SANA reported.

The Chinese diplomat affirmed his country’s “keenness on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and its rejection of any interference in its internal affairs,” SANA said.

He also emphasized “the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two sides for the benefit of the two friendly peoples.”

Damascus is seeking to strengthen its relations with countries around the world and develop economic partnerships as part of its efforts to rebuild its economy, devastated after years of war.

China, along with Russia, was a main backer of former dictator Bashar al-Assad and had played a role in blocking UN Security Council resolutions against his regime. Assad fled the country to Russia in late 2024.